Pipe cleaner



May 19, 1931. F. G. LoNG 1,806,478

PIPE CLEANER Filed Jan. 7, 1929 BY Mai ATTORNEY Patented May 19, 1931 tataas naman s'rArss PATENT orrcr FRANK G. LONG, OF ROCKCASTLE, ALAIBAMA PIPE CLEANER Application filed January 7, 1929.

The invention is more particularly con-` cerned Iwith and has for its object the provision of a device of this character constructed to cause removal of such sediment from the pipe interior by the action of the pressure fluid of the pipe line and arranged to be moved through the pipe lines progressively with the cleaning operation by the normal pressure of the pipe line fluid.

The particular form in which the invention is embodied is designed to traverse pressure fluid pipe conduits whether level or inclined, including bends involving slight angularity approximating a maximum of 12 degrees without attention' other than the usual operation of the pump maintaining the normal fluid line pressure. Since the invention operates through and by the normal fluid pressure in the pipe line, it is operative regardless of the length of the line, so long as it is not obstructed in movement by bends of blocking angularity.

The construction and operation of the device is predicated upon the increase of the normal line pressure by reduction of the cross Sectional area of the pipe line by the cleaning device inserted therein, this device having provision for utilizing and directing the pressure fluid to wash away the sediment accumulated upon the interior of the line in advance of the cleaning device which is also moved bodily along the pipe line by said pressure fluid progressively with the clearing away of accumulated sediment in advance thereof.

The structural provisions fulfilling these objects and embodying the features above described as well as others,A are described more fully in the following detailed specification which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof and in Which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal Serial No. 330,891.

section of a pressure fluid line with the cleaner of the present invention inserted therein and appearing in elevation.

Figure 2 is a similar view but with the` cleaning device shown in longitudinal section With the section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a 'Sectional view similar to Figure 2 but with the nozzle end of the cleaning projectile provided with a tubular pipe extension for washing away loose sedinient in advance of the cleaning device to expedite its progress along the pipe line.

Figure et is a transverse vertical section through the spray nozzle end of the cleaning projectile, taken on line lt of Figure 3.

The cleaning device is of tubula-r form and shape similar to a projectile. Its main tubular body portion l is open at its rear end and of a diameter appreciably less than 'the internal diameter of the pipe line 2. Adjacent to its forward end, it is provided with an external collar 3 approximating but slightly less than the internal diameter of the pipe line 2, and forivardly of this collar terminates in a conical head 4 having therein a series of staggered spray openings 5 and 6 drilled preferably at angles of approximately 22%; and respectively, to project jets of pressure fluid against the walls o'f the pipe line in advance of the collar 3. The end of the conical ,head 4 is cut off or truncated and is interna-lly threaded to receive the threaded end of a flushing tube 7 (Fig. 3) or a closing plug 8 (Figs. 1 and 2) when the nature of the accumulation is hard and may not be fiushed through the tube. Matter accumulated upon the interior of the pipe line is indicated at 9. i

This cleaning proj ectile is preferably made of bronze or other acid resisting metal, the flushing tube 7 and dplug 8 being preferably of similar material.

The flushing tube 7 is used when the accumulated deposit on the interior of the pipe line is of a soft nature and washes this deposit or a portion thereof ahead of the cleaning projectile', thereby` increasing the movement of the projectile through the pipe line and preventing choking of the jet openings by such soft deposit. The flushing tube is instrumental also in reducing the pressure of the fluidagainst the obstructing` deposit in the pipe ybyproviding a pressure reducing outlet for thewater additional to the spray' opening in the conical head.

V When the matter accumulatedupon the interior of the pipe line is not so soft andis not easily dislodged and flushed forwardly by the tube, the latter is not used and the bore in the conicalv end of the" cleaning projectileV is closed by the plug 8.

I In the use of the cleaning projectile, with both plug and flushing tube, the pressure fluid such as water enters the open rear end of the projectile and sprays out through the series of spray openings 5 and 6 loosening the deposit on the pipe walls. The pressure fluid alsotflows forwardly over the outer walls of the projectile and, because of the enlarged diameter of the. collar 3V and the obstruction presented-thereby, is directed as a thin'an-l nular pressure flui'd stream aga-instth'e'inner Wall of the pipe line removing and. washing forwardly matter not removed therefrom byl the spray jets and 'cooperating V'directly with the rearmost row ofv spray jets, which asy shown extend* at an 'angle of approximately 22'1/2` degrees tov the vertical in effectingl removal of the matter encrusting the pipe walls.

The pressure fluid is forced forwardly within the projectile, with its pressure'only partly relieved -by the jetjholes 5. and 6 and by the flushing'tube 7, When used, the projectile being m-ovedtforwardly along the pipe line as the deposit in advance thereof is washed loose andv Vflushed forwardly by the' spray and flushing tube; i i v The projectile isinserted in' the pipe line at its'intakeend, which is uncoupledfby the pressure' line temporarily for this purpose and-'then recoupled after insertion'. 'It travels through the pipe line through the'normal pressure-ofthe'line asrapidly asthe obstructing deposit is loosened Vand flushed ahead,

Where the line presents nov stopping bends,

andadapted to be propelled through the pipe by the pressure of the fluid in the. pipe, ;said tool being of less external diameter than theV interior ofthe pipe line tobe cleaned, said tool'comprising a tubular; member open at its rear end and spaced at its outer sides from the wall of the pipeline and having a nose at its. front' end of.V substantially reduced ldiameterand conical form havinga plurality of series Vof spray jetbores extending therethrough' at different vdegrees of angularity to 'theaxis'of the tool, said bores being arrangedzin staggered relation.

2. A pipe cleaning ltool of tubular form and'adapted to be propelled through the pipe bythe pressureof the fluid inV the pipe, said tool being of less external diameter than the interior of the pipe Vline-to be cleaned, said tool comprising. a tubular member open at its rear end and spaced' at its outer sides from the Wall of the pipe line and having a nose at its front end of substantially reduced diameter and tconical'formfhaving a plurality` of the tubular member'and providing ya thin annularpassage directing an annular jet of pressure fluid'fo'rwardly at the edge of the interior wall of the pipe line.

FRANK G. VLone.

it will travel to the outlet end oftheline of v itself, :it only beingl necessary t'olmaintain the usual'fluid pressure of the'line, VVhere bends ofsuffioient angilarity' are met whichVy` will i stop: Vthe projectile, it is,-of course, necessary' soV i to disconnect the` linedd at these bends,` andv I i passthe'projectile around'the'bend to'the' jacent straight-away. o

- The particularl form of cleaningprojectile described and shown,'3while representing av preferredand` simple: embodiment ofthe in'-.

vention, is intended as illustrative, only,iand? not as restrictive Stru'cturalvariationI is therefore eontemplated in consonanc'e` with the spiritofthe invention and the scope ofV the app'ended` claims.

What I- claim, therefore, and' desire to 'se-.g

curie-fby'Letters Patent is :i

f ii. .Afp-ipe- Cleaning Atooi bf' tubular form; 

